This research closely examines the differences in the changes in subject-specific academic self-concepts between lower- and higher-ability EFL students in homogeneously grouped classes. Participants were college freshmen who were assigned to basic level and advanced level English classes on the basis of their performance on proficiency tests conducted by the school. A questionnaire was designed to inquire into students' perceived academic confidence, interest, and involvement in their English coursework. The study mainly investigates (1) whether students' perceptions of their academic confidence, effort, and overall academic self-concept significantly change over time within each ability group and (2) whether there are any similarities or differences in academic confidence and perceived academic effort between lower- and higher-performing students over the duration of the study. The results of the study show that the grouping practice did not have any significant effect on the academic effort of students in either ability level, but it did successfully improve the academic confidence and overall academic self-concept of students placed in the low-performing level. Their confidence significantly and most noticeably increased in terms of their consideration of English as one of the subjects they are good at and their perception about their own English test performance. Higher achieving students' academic self-concepts remains rather stable over time. The greatest differences in perceived academic effort between these two ability groups were found in their interest in English coursework, and their determination to put more effort on English coursework.


Abstract Crystal structures of Si2N4 prepared by chemical vapour deposition (CVD) have been observed on the atomic scale by high-voltage, high-resolution electron microscopy. Many-beam imagee with [001] axial illumination exhibit the projected potential with trigonal and hexagonal symmetry for α- and β-Si2N4 respectively at thicknesses of less than about 10 nm. The image contrasts are discussed on the basis of multislice calculations as a function of crystal thickness and objective lens defocus. Excellent agreement is obtained between the observed and calculated images for both crystals. An atomic model of a structure defect in β-Si2N4 is proposed directly from the images.


This paper examines the question of authorship attribution of translationmediated texts and more specifically the messages purported to be those of Osama Bin Laden. Using a three-tier translation analysis model, the paper explores features of the original message and several translations to conclude that while Bin Laden may have been established as the communicator of these messages, he may not have been the sole author of the messages. This is a bold claim that is supported by a forensic translation analysis that proves beyond reasonable doubt that external linguistic and cultural influences have contributed to authorship.


Active strategies for structural health monitoring using ultrasonic guided waves mainly deal with excitation signals that are band limited in order to minimize the effect of dispersion. The underlying idea is to activate only the fundamental wave modes so that the signal complexity decreases and individual wave packets in the sensor signals can be identified separately. However, it would be advantageous to increase the temporal resolution of the signal in order to enhance the performance of the post-processing algorithms, for example, travel-time-based damage localization algorithms that need precise arrival time estimations or imaging approaches processing the deconvolved signals directly. This article suggests a new technique to deconvolve narrowband and nonstationary ultrasonic signals by means of a time-varying inverse filter. This filter is realized through the application of the matching pursuit decomposition algorithm. The properties of this methodology are quantitatively compared with several onset-time estimation approaches and evaluated with experimental pitch-catch and differential signals between the pristine and the damaged structure.


The research was based on a proposal to develop a comprehensive management system of household waste through continuous improvement model Quiruvilca district. By having determined the existence of two social strata B and C levels, were determined for representative samples characterization study, using 30 samples per level. We used the technique of direct observation, quantification was done by calculating gravity. The overall composition of organic solid waste was 6,32%, 7,58% Inorganic and 86,10% inert. 100% of identified solid waste paper, cardboard, wood, plastic bags, bottles, cans, synthetic fabrics, rubber and others. The classification of solid waste from non-compacted waste in the municipal dump Quiruvilca City, was characterized by the 86,10% of waste generated in both social levels of ash.


HOPE VI Program Revitalization Act of 2003 - Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to extend and authorize appropriations for the HOPE VI revitalization program.Revises grant selection criteria.


In usual processes of rapid prototyping the transformation of the material into the prototype construction is usually made by fusion or polymerization by means of heating by laser or electrical resistance. It necessarily requires special equipment for the fusion process and deposition of material for the surface construction, layer on top of layer, the temperature control to certify quality, the treatment of exhalation during the transformation process, among others. This kind of transformation in the rapid prototyping process is relatively expensive compared with the conventional process of prototyping. An alternative for the transformation process includes, obviously, other kinds of material for the prototype construction. However, bibliographic research has show, that there are no such works which explore alternative materials and processes especially in the national context. Therefore, several kinds of material have been analyzed based on the following properties: required temperature for the work, adherence capacity between the layers, consistence time or cure time of the prototype, cost and availability on the national market. The following material was chosen, based on this study: a compound, based on a carbohydrate complex, because it transforms itself from the physical form at room temperature. First of all, adherence aspects and curing time were analyzed,. Then characteristics of the apparatuses and devices of the Fused Layer Modeling process (FLM). Based on these characteristics the project of the extrusion device was developed, to extrude the carbohydrate composite in form of filaments and its kinematics was modeled to determine the depositing speed and design of experiments to obtain, out of the proposed process, the qualitative aspects (operation, preparation, costs, utilization of the prototype, among others) and quantitative (speed of the dislocation of the table at x-y axis, height between the layers, roughness and geometric form, among others). At that rate the developed proposal shows potentiality to be used in production of showcases, toy pieces, utilization in course for professional training, prototypes for molding at room temperature, forms for sand castings.


Description Red blood cells detect and bind cell-free nucleic acids, contributing to anemia and immune cell activation during acute inflammation. DNA sensing by RBCs Red blood cells (RBCs) have historically been considered immunologically inert. In this study, however, Lam et al. demonstrated that RBCs promote inflammation through expression of Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) on the cell surface. The authors observed that RBC-expressed TLR9 bound DNA from bacteria, plasmodia, and mitochondria in vitro, and RBC-bound DNA was enriched in humans and mice during sepsis. This drove erythrophagocytosis by splenic macrophages, resulting in acute anemia. Last, the authors show that RBC-bound mitochondrial DNA was enriched in the peripheral blood of patients with viral pneumonia or sepsis secondary to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Together, these findings show that RBCs are essential components of inflammatory responses. Red blood cells (RBCs) are essential for aerobic respiration through delivery of oxygen to distant tissues. However, RBCs are currently considered immunologically inert, and few, if any, secondary functions of RBCs have been identified. Here, we showed that RBCs serve as critical immune sensors through surface expression of the nucleic acid–sensing Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9). Mammalian RBCs expressed TLR9 on their surface and bound CpG-containing DNA derived from bacteria, plasmodia, and mitochondria. RBC-bound mitochondrial DNA was increased during human and murine sepsis and pneumonia. In vivo, CpG-carrying RBCs drove accelerated erythrophagocytosis and innate immune activation characterized by increased interferon signaling. Erythroid-specific deletion of TLR9 abrogated erythrophagocytosis and decreased local and systemic cytokine production during CpG-induced inflammation and polymicrobial sepsis. Thus, detection and capture of nucleic acid by TLR9-expressing RBCs regulated red cell clearance and inflammatory cytokine production, demonstrating that RBCs function as immune sentinels during pathologic states. Consistent with these findings, RBC-bound mitochondrial DNA was elevated in individuals with viral pneumonia and sepsis secondary to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and associated with anemia and severity of disease. These findings uncover a previously unappreciated role of RBCs as critical players in inflammation distinct from their function in gas transport.


The author comments on an accompanying reprint of a landmark article, "A definition of irreversible coma," the 1968 report of the Ad Hoc Committee of the Harvard Medical School to Examine the Definition of Death. Joynt briefly describes the gradual acceptance of brain death as a medical and legal concept in the U.S. and examines the four criteria recommended by the Ad Hoc Committee for diagnosis of irreversible coma--unreceptivity and unresponsivity, no movements or breathing, no reflexes, and a flat EEG--in the light of current thinking. He notes that, while "irreversible coma" was an unfortunate choice of words for the definition, the term "brain death" is also inexact and confusing.


The invention provides a system and method for reverse osmosis treatment of water, including seawater and brackish water. Methods and systems of embodiments of the invention may include, for example, ultrafiltration followed by biofoulant removal, both of which precede reverse osmosis. In preferred embodiments the system is run at a low flux. For example, a flux of 6-8 GFD may be used with seawater. Additional embodiments may provide the above process in conjunction with a reverse-osmosis membrane cleaning system. The membrane cleaning system is a clean in place system that includes use of the natural pressure differential in the reverse osmosis system to remove biofoulants and their precursors.


The paper deals with the identification of linear time invariant (LTI) systems by a special observer. An observer emitting an frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) signal and having a stretch processor as receiver will be considered for system identification. A thorough derivation of the gathered baseband signal for arbitrary LTI systems will be given. It is shown, that the received signal is approximately given by the transfer function of the LTI system over the frequency sweep of the FMCW signal. The proof relies on an infinite large time-bandwidth product of the transmit signal, such that errors remain in practical applications with a finite time-bandwidth product. Monte–Carlo simulations are conducted to verify the approximation and to quantify its accuracy and remaining errors. The findings are important for e.g. calibration or derivation of a device model in FMCW radar applications.


Especially for rare species occurring in small populations, which are prone to loss of genetic variation and inbreeding, detailed knowledge of the relationship between heterozygosity and fitness is generally lacking. After reporting on allozyme variation and fitness in relation to population size in the rare plant Gentiana pneumonanthe, we present a more detailed analysis of the association between heterozygosity and individual fitness. The aim of this study was to test whether increased fitness of more heterozygous individuals is explained best by the 'inbreeding' hypothesis or by the 'overdominance' hypothesis. Individual fitness was measured during 8 months of growth in the greenhouse as the performance for six life-history parameters. PCA reduced these parameters to four main Fitness Components. Individual heterozygosity was scored for seven polymorphic allozyme loci. For some of these loci (e.g. Aat3, Pgml and 6Pgdh2) heterozygotes showed a significantly higher relative fitness than homozygotes. To test the inbreeding model, regression analyses were performed between each Fitness Component and the number of heterozygous loci per individual. Multiple regressions with the adaptive distance of five loci as independent variables were used to test the overdominance model. Only the inbreeding model was a statistically significant explanation for the relationship between heterozygosity and fitness in G. pneumonanthe. The number of heterozygous loci was significantly negatively correlated with the coefficients of variation of three of the six initially measured fitness parameters. This suggests a lower developmental stability among more homozygous plants and may * Author for correspondence.


An experimental investigation on the interaction between different parasitic devices in CMOS ICs from the point of view of latchup triggering is outlined. The study, carried out by means of ad hoc test structures, shows that this interaction: (a) can lead to significant increase in latchup susceptibility; (b) can involve devices very distant from one another; and (c) is not always suppressed by guard ring protections. The main features of the experimental results are discussed and explained. >


The introduction of computer imaging to assist the surgeon in patient consultation and preoperative planning has revolutionized the field of cosmetic surgery. High resolution graphics and the potential for unlimited mass storage have taken the computer from the business office and placed it in the consultation room. An image of the particular problem for which the patient seeks consultation is digitalized on a color monitor. Together, the patient and surgeon discuss realistic goals of surgery as the image is manipulated on the screen.


Microwave is one of the advanced measurement methods at present.the paper presented the advantages of microwave measurement for seeds moisture contenet,demonstrated the fundmental principle and gave a kind of single parameter measurement of moisture.


In the Nature Reserve Ligota Dolna two-year investi gations on the occurrence of microscopic fungi on land plants were done. The 46 species of fungi were r cognized. They were mostly the members of the anamorphic fungi as well as two species of Erysiphales and seven species of Uredinales were found. Three species of hyperparasites were also recognized: Trichoderma piluliferum on Absidia glauca, Ampelomyces quisqualis on Erysiphe cichoracearum as well as on Microsphaera alphitoides , and Cladosporium aecidiicola on the old thelli of Cronartium flaccidium. Only 11% of total plant species were infected by fungi. The investigations were done before the beginning of usage of the motorway A4, w hich is localized near by the Nature Reserve Ligota Dolna.


The Complete Angler by Izaak Walton IZAAK WALTON THE COMPLEAT ANGLER To the Right worshipful John Offley of Madeley Manor, in the County of Stafford Esquire, My most honoured Friend Sir,-I have made so ill use of your former favours, as by them to be encouraged to entreat, that they may be enlarged to the patronage and protection of this Book: and I have put on a modest confidence, that I shall not be denied, because it is a discourse of Fish and Fishing, which you know so well, and both love and practice so much.


COVID-19 has brought into focus the bioethical challenge of resource allocation by straining healthcare delivery in limiting the availability of healthcare resources. While the bioethical principle of autonomy has typically taken precedence for medical practices, with the struggle of resource allocation, the bioethical principles emerging as front-line and conflicting have been utility and justice. Balancing these ideals has been challenging because while utility has demanded that society make decisions maximizing good and minimizing harm, justice has emphasized all people getting their due, despite if most efficient. Looking at how these principles could work without compromising each other, the question how a "just" utility, or a utility well-balanced with justice, could be attained has emerged because while utility has encouraged policies that would save the most lives in dire situations, it has inadvertently allowed for the magnification of prepandemic inequities disproportionately impacting the marginalized, marking an issue of justice. The conversation has proven complex when considering the ventilator crisis, showing the importance of resource allocation for public health emergencies. To grasp the scope of resource allocation challenges during COVID-19, the role of bioethical principles in making decisions, the concept of "just" utility, and the implications of resource allocation (including questions of accountability and use of innovative technologies) will be evaluated. Advocated for will be the consistent discussion of resource allocation strategies by diverse community members who take responsibility together, health officials being transparent during crisis situations, and using bioethical principles to predict and combat inequities that might be amplified during crises.


Low amplitude impulsive noise measurements have been carried out in the time domain on a vehicle power line network. These measurements were made on a stationary vehicle and the motor idling. The characteristics of the measured low amplitude pulses were studied in terms of amplitude, frequency, duration and time interval between successive pulses. Stochastic models based on mathematical distribution functions and fitting the experimental distribution of the various pulse characteristics are proposed.


It was shown in our previous work that carbonaceous residues from petroleum were gasified with extremely high efficiency in the fluidized bed of alumina-supported alkali catalysts. In the present work, we applied the same fluidized bed system to the gasification of solid carbon. Many works have been reported on the catalytic activity of alkali for the gasification of solid carbon such as coal, char and graphite. Recent studies have showed that alkali-catalyzed gasification of graphite and char proceeds via oxygen transfer mechanism where the redox of alkali salt is essential. In the gasification of petroleum residues, the intermediate was carbon deposited on the catalyst. In the case of solid carbon, however, catalytically active species must travel from catalyst to the surface of solid carbon, and may hopefully return to catalyst after gasification. It is the purpose of the present work to investigate how effectively the alumina-supported potassium carbonate catalyst functions in the gasification of solid carbon.


The buccal tablets were made from persimmon leaves powder by the process of mixing,prilling and drying and the capacity of scavenging DPPH· and ·OH was investigated. The results showed that the optimum technology and composition of persimmon leaves buccal tablets were 4.5 g of persimmon leaves powder,8. 5 g of starch,3.0 g of sorbitol,and 3.5 g of maltodextrin. A tablet weighed( 0.50 ± 0.05) g,which could scavenge 33.3 mg of DPPH· in 15 minutes to 20 minutes,and could scavenge 4.98mg of ·OH in 60 minutes.


A modified method of auxiliary sources incorporating an excitation source is applied for computing the eigenvalues of hollow waveguides. Specifically, the eigenvalue determination is based on the response measurement of the waveguide's domain to an excitation source. Theory and numerical results are presented proving that, contrary to external excitation, for internal excitation the eigenvalues are determined without a regularization procedure. The derived results are compared to those obtained with the Finite Element Method (FEM). We, also, discuss that divergent and oscillating auxiliary currents do not affect the eigenvalues' determination.


The literature review examines the role of case studies in teaching business ethics in Institutions of Higher Learning. Business ethics is an important discipline that involves making ethical decisions in the context of business organizations. Case studies provide a valuable tool for educators to engage students in critical thinking and ethical decision-making by applying theoretical concepts to real-world situations. This review explores the benefits, challenges, and best practices associated with using case studies in teaching business ethics, as well as the impact of case studies on student learning outcomes. The findings highlight the effectiveness of case studies in promoting active learning, fostering ethical awareness, and developing ethical decision-making capabilities in students.


Thee is growing evidence that lightning can have a big non-visual impact on humans, affecting our mood and well-being. Adelle King explains how human-centered lighting is taking off.


Cory's Shearwaters Calonectris spp. are common non-breeding visitors off the west and south coasts of southern Africa (Ryan 1997). Most are present during the austral summer, arriving off Namibia and the Western Cape Province in October and November. Until recently, Cory's Shearwater was generally considered polytypic, with C.d. diomedea in the Mediterranean, C.d. borealis breeding in the east Atlantic, from the Berlengas in Portugal to the Azores and the Canary Islands, and a third subspecies C.d. edwardsii endemic to the Cape Verde Islands (Cramp & Simmons 1977, del Hoyo et al. 1992, Thibault et al. 1997). The Cape Verde subspecies was considered distinctive (smaller, bill more slender and black instead of yellow, tail relatively longer; Bourne 1955, Cramp & Simmons 1977, Porter et al. 1997) and Hazevoet (1995) treats this race as a separate species: C. edwardsii. The two other subspecies were considered indistinguishable in the field (Cramp & Simmons 1977). Both subspecies were known as trans-equatorial migrants (Cramp & Simmons 1977, del Nevo 1994, Thibault et al. 1997) and C.d. diomedea has been described to move south to the Benguela Current, whereas C.d. borealis should concentrate off South America after visiting the eastern seaboard of the United States (Mougin et al. 1988). Most southern African specimens originate from the Mediterranean population, but at least three specimens of C.d. borealis have been found (Ryan 1997, Oschadleus et al. 2001).


Grain bounsdary (GB) self-diffusion was investigated in sintered tungsten material by the radiotracer serial-sectioning technique using the 185 W radioisotope. Measurements were carried out in the low temperature range from 1160 to 1323 K in the Harrison type-C kinetic regime yielding directly the GB diffusion coefficient D GB = 1.41 x 10 -5 exp (-294 kJ mol -1 /RT) m 2 s -1 . The activation enthalpy Q GB 0.35 to 0.45 Q V ). From additional measurements at higher temperatures, 1873 to 2173 K, in type-B kinetic regime, a smaller value of Q GB 0.45 Q V was estimated. By combining all results it is found that the GB diffusivity in the low-temperature range is considerably reduced with respect to the extrapolated high-temperature results. This observation is discussed in terms of a strong segregation effect of (spurious) impurities like C and P in the tungsten GBs.


. Stationarity is a critical assumption in the eddy-covariance method that is widely used to calculate turbulent fluxes. Many methods have been proposed to diagnose non-stationarity attributed to external non-turbulent flows. In this paper, we focus on intrinsic non-stationarity (IN) attributed to turbulence randomness. The detrended fluctuation analysis is used to quantify IN of CO 2 turbulent fluxes in the downtown of Beijing. Results show that the IN is common in CO 2 turbulent fluxes and is a small-scale phenomenon related to the inertial sub-range turbulence. The small-scale IN of CO 2 turbulent fluxes can 5 be simulated by the Ornstein-Uhlenbeck (OU) process as a first approximation. Based on the simulation results, we find that the flux-averaging time should be greater than 27 s to avoid the effects of IN. Besides, the non-stationarity diagnosis methods that do not take into account IN would possibly make a wrong diagnosis with some parameters.


The advances in molecular medicine are taking place at a hitherto unprecedented pace. Genetics has come of age and will greatly influence the future of health care and therapeutics in the twenty-first century, in much the same way the breakthroughs in quantum physics and chemistry shaped science and society during the early phases of the twentieth century. The field of pharmacogenetics was introduced more than 40 years ago to emphasize the role of heredity in personto-person differences in drug response (1,2). The focus of pharmacogenetic investigations has traditionally been unusual and extreme drug responses resulting from a single gene effect. Pharmacogenomics is a recently introduced concept that attempts to explain the hereditary basis of both monogenic as well as subtler and continuous variations in drug responses that are under multigenic control (3). Although the two terms are often used interchangeably, the scope of pharmacogenomic investigations follows a genome-wide approach and also aims to identify novel biological targets for drug discovery, with use of the new affordable highthroughput molecular genetic technologies (4). In theory, pharmacogenomics can assist in clinical decision making to choose the most appropriate medication and dose titration regimen for individual patients. Moreover, the principles of pharmacogenomics are not limited to therapeutics. They can be applied to understand the hereditary basis of differences in sensitivity or resistance to any foreign chemical


Cheng and Huang (1996) refer to these conditionals as 'bare conditionals' because they usually lack the word 'if'. However, this is not a general property of these conditionals cross-linguistically (or even in Chinese; see Lin 1996); we therefore refer to them as wh-conditionals. The defining property of these conditionals is that they must contain a matched pair of wh-phrases, one in the antecedent and one in the consequent, as illustrated in (1). The two wh-phrases are interpreted as the same variable, as indicated in the English translation.


Raman spectra excited by 4800‐A argon‐ion‐laser radiation and recorded photoelectrically have been obtained from a series of ternary aqueous solutions by back scattering and by 90° scattering using Cary and Jarrell–Ash double monochromators, respectively. The OD stretching region of HDO (and D2O), 2300–2800 cm−1, and the OH stretching region of H2O plus HDO, ∼ 2800–3800 cm−1, were examined for the following solutes: (1) NaPF6, (2) NaSbF6, (3) NaClO4, (4) NaBF4, (5) NaReO4, (6) NaMnO4 (infrared only), (7) NaIO4, (8) NaNO3, (9) NaClO3, (10) NaSCN, (11) KI, (12) CsF, (13) Na2SO4, (14) (C4H9)4NCl, and (15) Xe. (See Addendum for other solutes.) In addition, Raman spectra were obtained from HDO in H2O at pressures from 1 to 3790 bar at 25°C, and from a 5.0M solution of NaClO4 in HDO and H2O at pressures of 690 and 3450 bar at 25°C. Several pronounced intensity maxima were observed in the OD and OH stretching regions for salts of extremely strong acids, (1)–(4), and some qualitative correlations with the strengt...


Nanotechnology is the study and use of structures between 1 nanometer and 100 nanometers in size. Cancer is the leading cause of death among people younger than 85 years. Nanoparticles that deliver chemotherapy drugs directly to cancer cells are under development. Nanomaterials are increasingly used as drug carriers for cancer therapy. Nanomaterials also appeal to researchers in the areas of cancer diagnosis and biomarker discovery. Among the newly developed nanomedicine and nanodevices such as quantum dots, nanowires, nanotubes, nanocantilevers, and nanopores, nanoshells and nanoparticles are the most promising applications for various cancer treatments. This article aims at giving an overview of the present status of nanotechnology in cancer therapy and the prospects of nanomaterials as drug carriers for future clinical applications are also discussed.

Keywords: Nanotechnology, Nanomedicine, Application of nanomedicine, Nanomedicine for cancer, Risks of nanotechnology.


Vertical faults through the shallow crust are commonly believed to act as either barriers to horizontal groundwater flow normal to the fault, conduits to horizontal flow tangential to the fault, or a combination of both. In addition, enhanced vertical permeability has been identified as a common feature. We investigate the effects of vertical anisotropy of a fault zone on the distribution of hydraulic head within the fault, using an analytic solution. We conclude that anisotropy ratios greater than 100 result in nearly hydrostatic conditions within the fault zone, despite the existence of significant vertical flow rates. Under these conditions, the Dupuit approximation is adequate for predicting the flow from one side of the fault to the other. We then present explicit analytical solutions to problems of steady groundwater flow in a multiaquifer system cut by a single vertical fault. The fault is linear and of negligible width, is infinite in length, and acts as a conduit for vertical fluid flow. The fault may act as a leaky barrier to horizontal flow normal to the fault, as a conduit to horizontal flow tangential to the fault, or a combination of both. Examples are presented that highlight the effects of enhanced vertical permeability of a fault on aquifer interaction in a multiaquifer system. Particle tracking is used to investigate the effects of the fault on pathlines.


The present invention discloses a method of semiconductor package, comprising: providing an adapter plate, the surface of the adapter plate from the receiving space a recess is formed; providing a chip which is provided with a plurality of pads, disposed in said chip soldering pads arranged on one side an adhesive layer, and the chip is bonded by the adhesive layer in a bottom wall of the receiving space; formed through the adapter plate and the adapter plate and the receiving space communicating the through hole; conductive medium is provided at the surface of the through hole and the adapter plate, and said pad is electrically connected to the conductive medium, and is formed at the surface of the adapter plate the pitch of said plurality of electrically conductive medium connecting the plurality of pads is greater than the pitch of the metal bump. By providing the chip accommodating space to accommodate the adapter plate, the process reduces the difficulty of the adapter plate of the package, thus reducing the production cost.


Haley Fiske of Illumina discusses the company's Genome Analyzer at the "Sequencing, Finishing, Analysis in the Future" meeting in Santa Fe, NM


Objective To summarize the experiences of immediate breast reconstruction with deep inferior epigastric perforator(DIEP)flap and to evaluate indications and advantages of the technique.Methods From April 2003 to June 2009,immediate breast reconstruction following mastectomy using DIEP flap was performed in 21 patients who had received mastectomy for stage I and II breast cancer(radical mastectomy in 6 cases and modified radical mastectomy in 15).Before the operation the location of DIEP was determined by using MDCT(multidetector computed tomography)angiography and Doppler perfusion flowmeter.When mastectomy was completed DIEP was dissected to obtain DIEP flap simultaneously.And the deep inferior epigastric vessels were anastomosed to the thoracodorsal vessel for immediate breast reconstruction.Results The follow-up time was 6 months to 6 years.Among the 21 patients 20 had their flaps completely survived postoperatively,fat necrosis of the distal part(1/3)occurred in one.One case suffered from hematoma in recipient site.No complications such as abdominal hernia and bulge or fat necrosis in donor sites were found.The reconstructed breasts were well-shaped.Conclusion Immediate breast reconstruction using DIEP flap possesses the advantages of satisfactory recipient condition,abundant tissue volume and minimal donor site injury.


The presentation of the exhibits of the saigon museum follows the principles of european museums, in particular the musee guimet (paris). Details are given on the show-cases and the lighting.


The main objective of the present paper is to further investigate pinning synchronisation of a complex delayed dynamical network with directionally coupling by a single impulsive controller. By developing the analysis procedure of pinning impulsive stability for undirected coupled dynamical network previously, some simple yet general criteria of pinning impulsive synchronisation for such directed coupled network are derived analytically. It is shown that a single impulsive controller can always pin a given directed coupled network to a desired homogenous solution, including an equilibrium point, a periodic orbit, or a chaotic orbit. Subsequently, the theoretical results are illustrated by a directed small-world complex network which is a cellular neural network (CNN) and a directed scale-free complex network with the well-known Hodgkin–Huxley neuron oscillators. Numerical simulations are finally given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed control methodology.


Study design, materials and methods This clinical study included 66 women with previously untreated stress urinary incontinence, and 63 patients completed the study. These women were randomly divided by the envelope method into two groups; the first group of patients underwent operations using the MiniArc (n=33) technique, while the second group were treated with the AJUST (n=33) technique. The efficacy of AJUST and MiniArc procedure (n=31/32) was evaluated on an average of 28/29 months (minimum 24 months; mean number of days was 843/873) after the procedures. We briefly present the subjective and objective outcomes of these procedures from the 5 hospitals which participated in the study. Subjective assessment of the cure rate and the leakage of urine was based on the five-point Likert scale and on the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Short form (ICIQUI SF). Improvement in urinary incontinence by ICIQ-UI SF was defined as a drop in the score of more than 50%. The evaluation of the five-point Likert scale was: 5-cured, very satisfied; 4-improved, satisfied; 3-no change to preoperative status; 2-worsened, not satisfied; 1-significantly worsened, not satisfied. Before the operation the women received a prophylactic antibiotic treatment, an iv dose of Unasyn (1.5g). Objective assessment of leakage of urine was assessed by the cough test. All subjects gave written consent to participate in the study. Data were processed and statistical analysis performed by Number Cruncher Statistical System (NCSS). Changes in time and differences between groups were assessed using t-tests, Wilcoxon tests or Fischer exact test; the level of significance was set to 0.05.


This paper presents a study of the profile distribution of available
 micronutrients Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn and radionuclide 137Cs in cultivated soil at
 the experimental field "Radmilovac" (property of Agricultural Faculty,
 Belgrade University) in the vicinity of Vinĉa Institute of Nuclear Sciences.
 The soil belongs to the anthrosol class of anthropogenic soils according to
 FAO (2006). At first, the deep plowing was performed while preparing soil for
 planting peach trees followed by cultivation of soil for 12 years. All
 agricultural treatments at the experimental field ceased for three years.
 After that period, soil sampling was carried out. Contents of DTPA-extracted
 Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn were in the range of (mg kg-1): 5.8-41.6; 9.2-34.2; 1-7.6
 and 0.2-1.3, respectively. Detected activity concentration (Bq kg-1) for
 137Cs ranged from 1.8 to 35. It was noticed that distribution patterns of
 137Cs radionuclide and available Cu and Zn along soil depth were very similar
 and they were analyzed by simple linear regression; mutual affinity for the
 soil organic matter might affect their distribution in soil. Contents of
 available Fe and Mn exhibited different, more constant distribution within a
 soil horizon.


1Assistant Professor, Dept. of Computer Science and Engineering, Atria Institute of Technology, Karnataka, India 2UG Student, Dept. of Computer Science and Engineering, Atria Institute of Technology, Karnataka, India ---------------------------------------------------------------------***---------------------------------------------------------------------Abstract The proposed Internet of Things based Street Light System is designed to prevent wastage of power and provides emergency help and security. Implementation of proposed idea is through smart embedded system along with programming that allows street light to be used in the right capacity according to the requirement. Street lights glow with different intensity based on sunlight's detection and object's movement. For emergency rescue two buttons (red and green) and two displays are placed at reachable height. A wireless camera is embedded along with the system that stores footages on cloud maintained by the base station. When one of this button is pressed then notification is sent to the area's police station or hospital and immediate action is taken. This prototype helps the police as criminal's picture is captured and proof against him is recorded in the camera. When ambulance is reaching the spot then display of all connected street lights turn green indicating ambulance is approaching and traffic has to be avoided. Hence system ensures security and cuts down power wastage.


Freeze–thaw cycles under the conditions of snowmelt and rainfall infiltration in winter are triggers for petroglyph weathering. Rock samples from the Helan Mountains were subjected freeze–thaw cycles under various conditions in laboratory testing, and the mass, elastic wave velocity and unconfined compressive strength were tested. The results show that the mass loss rate, wave velocity and compressive strength decreased. In addition, according to XRD analyses, the content of calcite and feldspar in the samples decreased, and according to SEM analyses, the microscopic pores grew. Considering the mass, mineral content and micro-voids, the variation decreases in the order: snowmelt group, rainfall infiltration group, normal freeze–thaw group. However, for wave velocity and compressive strength, the opposite results were observed. This research contributes to a better understanding of the weathering processes and mechanisms of petroglyphs in the Helan Mountains in winter.


In the title compound, {[Mn(C15H8O7)(C10H8N2)(H2O)3]·C10H8N2·2H2O}n, the bridging mode of the coordinating 4,4′-bipyridine ligands leads to the formation of polymeric zigzag chains parallel to [0-11]. The chains are separated by 4,4′-bipyridine and water solvent molecules. Within a chain, the MnII atom is six-coordinated by two N atoms of the bridging 4,4′-bipyridine ligands, three water O atoms and one carboxylate O atom of a single deprotonated 3-(4-carboxyphenoxy)phthalic acid ligand. Both coordinating and solvent 4,4′-bipyridine molecules are situated on centres of inversion. An intricate network of O—H⋯O and O—H⋯N hydrogen bonds involving the carboxy group, the coordinating water molecules and the two types of solvent molecules leads to the formation of a three-dimensional network.


The quantum state of light changes its nature when being reflected off a mechanical oscillator due to the latter's susceptibility to radiation pressure. As a result, a coherent state can transform into a squeezed state and can get entangled with the motion of the oscillator. Full information of the state of light can only be gathered by a tomographic measurement. Here we demonstrate a tomographic interferometer readout by measuring arbitrary quadratures of the light field exiting a Michelson–Sagnac interferometer that contains a thermally excited high-quality silicon nitride membrane. A readout noise of 1.9 × 10−16 m Hz−1/2 around the membrane's fundamental oscillation mode at 133 kHz has been achieved, going below the peak value of the standard quantum limit by a factor of 8.2 (9 dB). The readout noise was entirely dominated by shot noise in a rather broad frequency range around the mechanical resonance.


Abstract The purpose of the study was to reveal the differences of the flavor compounds among five Baiyunbian aged liquors by liquid-liquid extraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (LLE-GC-MS) and headspace-gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry (HS-GC-IMS). In optimizing the LLE parameters, an extractant, methyl tert-butyl ether, was found which has a good extract effect and has never been used for the extraction of liquor flavor substances. Then the optimized LLE method has been applied to comprehensively analyze flavor compounds in 3-year-storage liquors (3Y), 5Y, 12Y, 15Y, and 20Y of Baiyunbian liquors combined with GC-MS. The results showed that the number and concentration of total flavor compounds also enhanced with the increase of cellaring ages. The total concentration of flavor compounds in 20Y was the highest (4543.23 mg/L), and the 3Y was the lowest (3984.96 mg/L). Among them, the significant differences among five samples were esters, alcohols, acids and nitrogen-containing compounds. Cluster analysis was used to analyze the aromas profiles by LLE-GC-MS, which revealed relationship among five samples. The results showed that the similarity of the samples was highest between 15Y and 20Y, followed by 3Y and 5Y. The characteristic flavors fingerprints of five kinds of Baiyunbian aged liquors were established by HS-GC-IMS. The results showed that the characteristic peaks in GC-IMS 3D spectra corresponding to flavor compounds can effectively characterize the sample information areas. The sectional intensities of 60 characteristic peaks in the corresponding three-dimensional spectra were selected as variables. After the principal components analysis (PCA) was used to reduce information dimensionality, it was further distinguished by HS-GC-IMS that 3Y and 5Y can be completely separated, but 15Y and 20Y were very similar and cannot be completely distinguished. The obtained results are valuable for the in-depth understanding and further study of flavors of Baiyunbian liquors.


An ionic liquid system based on two amide anions; bis(fluorosulfonyl)amide anion (FSA) and bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)amide anion (TFSA), with a quaternary ammonium cation; N,N,N-trimethyl-N-propylammonium cation (TMPA+), was investigated over entire composition range. The system showed the binary phase diagram and the eutectic point was 5.5°C around the anion ratio of 1:2 (FSA: TFSA). Polymorphic behavior of solidified ionic liquid was observed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and discussed comparing with ionic liquids composed of other anion; (fluorosulfonyl) (trifluoromethylslufonyl)amide anion (FTA−) or tetrafluoroborate anion (BF4). In addition, the phase diagram of the ionic liquid system containing lithium cation with binary anion was confirmed. Raman spectroscopy suggested that lithium cation interacts more preferentially with TFSA than FSA. © The Electrochemical Society of Japan, All rights reserved.


The interpretation of the Qur'an is a scientific activity in the scientific family of usuluddin or covers the central affairs of the Islamic religion. The existence of this science is so important because without it the Qur'an cannot be understood clearly. Especially considering the context of the times that continue to develop and change. This reality encourages scholars, commentators, and reviewers of the Qur'an to create new methodologies in interpreting the Qur'an. Maudu'i's interpretation is one of the scientific products. This Tafsir method is part of the scientific development of Tafsir in the contemporary era. However, this does not mean that its new presence will outperform other interpretation methods, of course, as a scientific methodology, there will always be advantages and disadvantages. This study aims to reveal Tafsir Maudu'i and its advantages and disadvantages as one of the Quranic research methodologies related to it as a methodology. This research shows that Tafsir maudu'i has elementary things, which are the keys that distinguish the Tafsir Maudu'i method from other methods. Then another thing is regarding the advantages and disadvantages of this interpretation which can be seen from the relation that uses tartib al-nuzul in the way it is presented.


10 days before the first date of their upcoming European tour, were teaming up with Washington D.Cs melodic hardcore / gritty punk rock act WALK THE ...


The invention discloses a trans-board forwarding method and device and belongs to a field of data communication. The method disclosed by the invention includes distributing flow at an inlet port of an inlet service board card uniformly to all trans-board outlet ports of the service board card; and forwarding flow of the trans-board outlet port of the inlet service board card through an exchange board card and an outlet service board card. The invention also discloses a trans-board forwarding device. Compared with the prior art, the method and device provided by the invention has no special requirements for flow size and flow law and a balanced forwarding effect can always be achieved.


Silicon (Si), being an important fertilizer element, has been found effective in enhancing plant tolerance against biotic and abiotic stresses. Despite many reports regarding miraculous effects of silicon fertilization on plants, the penetration ability and efficacy of silicon containing compounds by foliar application is still a challenging question for the plant scientists. The current study was carried out to investigate the effects of the foliar feeding of various soluble silicon sources on photosynthesis and related attributes of wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) under water deficit condition. The results indicated that the plants which are subjected to drought showed 36% reduction in above ground shoot weight, 40% diminution in flag leaf area along with the decrease in 25% of total chlorophyll content and 62% reduction in grain weight. The foliar application of silicon containing compounds have remarkable positive effects on flag leaf gas exchange and related attributes under both normally irrigated and water deficit conditions. The foliar applications of silicon containing compounds such as 0.1 mM of silicic acid reduced the negative effects of water shortage with increase in leaf area (12%), plant biomass (23%) and grain weight (12%) of wheat as compared to the potassium silicate and sodium silicate. It is concluded from the results of this study that silicic acid is an appropriate form of silicon for foliar application followed by potassium silicate and sodium silicate. Moreover, 0.1 mM silicic acid was found to be more effective for enhancing photosynthetic efficiency, biomass and yield of wheat under water deficit environment.


The article considers the current revival of large-scale mobilisations within the student population in Europe. It advances the hypothesis that these waves of mobilisation reactivate a process of politicisation reflecting a much longer-term temporality which provides them with their foundation and which casts light on the problems and the ambivalence inherent in the phenomenon. The article thus outlines a framework for the analysis of this process that is based on the following dialectic : a) the structural integration of the university institution of advanced capitalism within a process of reproduction of the prevailing socio-economic and socio-ideological relations ; b) the conjunctures of struggle which have invested the university as institution. The article goes on to focus on two factors contributing to the intensification of this antagonism : a dialectics of politicisation and depoliticisation of the practices of knowledge in relations within the institution ; an « intrusion » of the international conjuncture within the sphere of student mobilisation. This latter factor catalyses the process of de-identification with the framework of the national State and confers a particular importance, precisely because of the fragility and the ambiguity of the phenomenon, to the European dimension of the current struggles.


Manfred Weber is the leader of the European People's Party (EPP) in the European Parliament. His main political focus is on bringing Europe back to the people and on uniting them behind concrete common ideas for the future of our continent, such as the fight on climate change, a European master plan against cancer and more fairness in a digitalized economy. In his keynote speech he stressed the need for further democratization of the European Union. Only if the people feel involved, we will be able to jointly take up the big challenges of our time and to defend our freedom, our unity and our "European way of life" instead of creating new divisions. 30 years ago, the fall of the Berlin Wall and the Iron Curtain brought freedom and prosperity to the people of Europe. If we want to preserve these huge achievements, we must also break down the walls in other areas or prevent new walls from being built.


This work seeks to contribute to software development education by motivating the use of engaging in-class and laboratory assignments. Ideally, these assignments should involve considerable student buy-in and should also evolve throughout the course to mimic real-world software development. Prior research is discussed, as well as several specific examples from two introductory programming classes. The ultimate contribution is a convincing argument to spend the extra effort to design better student projects.


A thermal model of a three-phase induction motor is validated by using fiber Bragg grating (FBG) temperature sensors. In the experimental setup, temperature, electrical and mechanical measurements were simultaneously obtained. Eight multiplexed FBG temperature sensors in a quasi-distributed configuration were used. Results from the simulation of the model presented a maximum difference of 0.75oC between the experimental values measured during the transient response of the motor and the simulated ones, while the steady state response converged to the measured experimental values. The instrumentation setup allowed the inclusion of the mechanical losses in the proposed thermal model, and this is the main contribution provided by this work.


The main objective of this master thesis is to analyze a current level of corporate social responsibility in the company Gumotex, a.s. and to suggest CSR activities which will lead to CSR improvement. The thesis is divided into theoretical and practical part. The theoretical part deals with the literature review which is related to the topic of corporate social responsibility. The practical part is devoted to the introduction of the company and to an analysis of a current level of CSR activities. Based on SWOT and PESTLE analysis in the conclusion of this thesis there is created a project which is composed of suggested partial CSR activities.


A number of coronagraph designs have been developed for obstructed apertures, but there is a significant performance gap between obstructed and unobstructed apertures. Can this performance gap be closed, or do pupil obstructions and segmentations fundamentally limit coronagraph performance? More generally, how much room for improvement remains for coronagraph designs, both obstructed and unobstructed? We perform a theoretical investigation of these questions. Our methods are based on the approach by Guyon et al. 2006, but we generalize and expand these methods, and apply them to arbitrary apertures. We show that it is theoretically impossible for a coronagraph to perfectly reject a star with a non-0 diameter or be perfectly insensitive to tip/tilt modes. However, arbitrarily good tolerance to stellar angular size can be achieved at the cost of inner working angle, and we provide a fundamental trade relationship linking the two for optimal coronagraphs. We show that the performance of optimal coronagraphs does not strongly depend on aperture obstructions or segmentation, suggesting that the performance gap between obstructed and unobstructed apertures can in theory be mostly closed, with sufficient engineering. We also analyze the performance of optimal coronagraphs in terms of mission yields for LUVOIR and HabEx, and show that optimal coronagraphs improve the science yield by a factor of several, or enable substantial aperture reductions without impacting science yield. Our limits can serve as an ultimate performance target for future coronagraph technology development, as well as to assess the true potential of a given telescope aperture.


While we appropriately celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the revolutionary Supreme Court decision in Brown v. Board of Education, this is also an occasion, particularly for the Mexican-American community, to reflect on two other important twentieth-century civil rights cases: Mendez v. Westminster School District, and Hernandez v. Texas. Decided in 1947, Mendez held the segregation of Mexican-American school children in Orange County, California, to be unlawful. Hernandez, a landmark Supreme Court decision decided the same month as Brown, recognized Mexican Americans as a distinct class with the right to challenge systematic exclusion from juries. Why do we celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of Brown rather than the fiftieth or fifty-fifth anniversary of a (hypothetical) Supreme Court decision in Mendez? In other words, why did Mendez not reach the high court and result in an outcome that might have had as revolutionary an impact as Brown? While it seems almost heretical some fifty years later even to ask such a question, it is often instructive to explore the seemingly obvious-such as the unassailable truth that Brown was a singular achievement, not seriously anticipated by any other case. I raise the query not to challenge this truth, but to attempt to discern lessons from Mendez for the Latino and, more broadly, the entire civil rights community, as we look forward to 2004 and beyond. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals decided Mendez in 1947, seven years before the Supreme Court's decision in Brown. Mendez itself was the most recent of a series of intermittent challenges to a very common practice in California and throughout the southwestern United States-the establishment of separate and inferior "Mexican schools." Districts segregated Latino children ostensibly on grounds of language. In practice and intent, the discrimination was based on racial/ethnic background. Plaintiff parents Gonzalo and Felicitas Mendez and others challenged such segregated schooling in Orange County's Westminster School District and neighboring districts . Their lawsuit was successful in the district court and, after a school district appeal, in the Ninth Circuit. Mendez was in many ways an important, albeit unrecognized, precursor to


Question In patients with acute respiratory infections (ARIs), what are the efficacy and safety of procalcitonin (PCT)-guided starting and stopping of antibiotic therapy? Review scope Included studies compared PCT-based strategies for starting or stopping antibiotic therapy with a control group without knowledge of PCT levels in adults with ARIs. Studies that included only children or that used PCT to escalate antibiotic treatment were excluded. Outcomes included mortality at 30 days, treatment failure at 30 days (definition of treatment failure depended on whether the setting was primary care, an emergency department, or an intensive care unit [ICU]), antibiotic-related side effects, antibiotic exposure, length of hospital stay, and length of ICU stay. Review methods MEDLINE, EMBASE/Excerpta Medica, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (to Feb 2017) and www.clinicaltrials.gov (to Apr 2017) were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Experts were consulted. 32 RCTs (n =10046) met the eligibility criteria, of which 26 RCTs (n =6708) provided individual patient data (IPD). 25 RCTs had adequate allocation concealment, 0 blinded clinicians, and 32 blinded outcome assessors. Main results Adherence to algorithms ranged from 44% to 100%. IPD analysis showed that PCT guidance reduced mortality and antibiotic-related side effects, but not treatment failure, compared with usual antibiotic care (Table). PCT guidance reduced total antibiotic exposure (mean 5.7 vs 8.1 d, P <0.001), but groups did not differ for length of stay in the hospital (mean 13.4 vs 13.7 d, P =0.626) or ICU (mean 13.7 vs 13.3 d, P =0.524). Conclusion In patients with acute respiratory infections, use of procalcitonin levels to guide starting and stopping antibiotics reduces mortality and antibiotic-related side effects without reducing treatment failure. Individual patient meta-analysis of procalcitonin (PCT)-guided starting and stopping of antibiotic therapy vs usual care for acute respiratory infections in adults* Outcomes Trials (n) Event rates At 30 d PCT-guided antibiotics Usual care RRR (95% CI) NNT (CI) Mortality 26 (6708) 8.6% 10.0% 16% (1 to 28) 65 (36 to 1110) Treatment failure 26 (6708) 23% 25% 8% (1 to 16) Not significant Antibiotic-related side effects 6 (3034) 16% 22% 27% (15 to 37) 17 (13 to 31) *Abbreviations defined in Glossary. RRR, NNT, and CI calculated from usual care event rates and odds ratios in article. Commentary Up to 72% of ambulatory ARI patients receive antibiotics (1); the clinical challenge is that viral and bacterial ARI symptoms overlap, and there is no accurate culture-based gold standard to differentiate these diagnoses. PCT-guided antibiotic prescribing offers 1 approach to improve antibiotic stewardship. The updated meta-analysis by Schuetz and colleagues shows that, in various clinical settings, PCT-guided antibiotic therapy reduces mortality compared with usual care, but positive effects on treatment failures, as seen in the 2012 meta-analysis (2), were no longer statistically significant. The mechanism by which PCT guidance reduces mortality without reducing treatment failures, which would seem to be the root cause of preventable ARI-related deaths, is a mystery. However, a rational take-home message is that antibiotics can be avoided, or the duration of therapy reduced, without increasing mortality in a broad range of ARI patients with nonelevated PCT levels. PCT-guided antibiotic prescribing for ARI offers a personalized approach to patients more likely to have an acute or acutely resolved bacterial infection. The PCT threshold above which antibiotics are indicated can be adjusted for lower- and higher-risk settings (3). However, implementation barriers abound, including clinician acceptance and access to PCT. More RCTs are under way because some investigators want confirmation of the safety and acceptability of PCT guidance within their health care systems (4). Real-world application of PCT-guided ARI management could devolve into a slippery slope of indiscriminate testing for every sore throat or runny nose, which could paradoxically increase antibiotic prescribing (5). Future research should be pragmatic, include patient-centric outcomes, and incorporate shared decision making (6).


In this 'state of the art' review, we draw on the Irish and UK context to ask 'what can welfare stigma do?' Our question provokes thinking about welfare stigma not as an inevitable 'cost' of the structure of welfare provision, but as something that does socio-political work and which may be deliberately mobilised to do so. This, we argue, is a particularly pertinent question to ask in the Irish and UK contexts, bound together by some shared liberal welfare regime characteristics that are particularly associated with welfare stigma and by the effects of a period of austerity capitalism that continues to re-shape the meaning and experience of welfare. Yet, going beyond welfare stigma as inherently negative, we highlight a limited literature on resistance that suggests the potentialities of welfare stigma in the service of positive social change toward a new welfare imaginary.


The following story shows the essence of eco-safe farming, its advantages over  intensive methods, the state of elaboration and implementation of ecological agriculture in  Europe and prospects in Ukraine.


This paper presents a novel method to calculated harmonic currents on both DC and AC sides in a three-phase bridge rectifier operating under pre-existing voltage distortion. In the proposed method, which takes account of the AC side reactances and harmonic voltages already existing in the AC network, the calculating equations of harmonic currents of both AC and DC sides are derived. Some practical rectifier circuits are calculated and the results agree well with test data. This shows the method proposed in this paper is more practical.


In May 2014, a team of experts briefed President Barack Obama on the value of leveraging systems engineering (SE) across a broader context. The recommendations from the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) conclude that SE should be used to reengineer the U.S. healthcare system to improve the patient experience, affordability, and effectiveness of care.1 AAMI and the International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE), a nonprofit that has promoted systems engineering principles in the aerospace, automotive, transportation, energy, and biomedical industries, sent a joint letter to Obama in July stating their agreement with the recommendations and that they are uniquely qualified to improve the delivery of healthcare in the United States through SE principles.2 Although this is a change in scope from how most manufacturers apply SE, this broader perspective does in fact have implications for device manufacturers. The PCAST report proposed seven recommendations for boosting the use of systems engineering in healthcare: • Speed the alignment of payment incentives and reported information with better patient outcomes • Accelerate efforts to develop a health data infrastructure • Provide national leadership in SE by increasing the supply of data available to benchmark performance, understand community health, and look at broader trends • Increase technical assistance to healthcare professionals • Support communities in systematic healthcare improvement • Incentivize the use of systems methods in healthcare • Build competencies and workforce for redesigning healthcare


The utterly new campus landscape of Shenyang Architectural University was designed with rice and native crops and plants. By doing this, the campus became a unique environment for the students to learn not only from the book, but from the nature and agriculture. Materials and trees from the old campus were reused in this new campus. The natural and agricultural processes and the process of history become part of the studying of the students.


We have investigated the denaturation bubble life time for a homogeneous as well as for a heterogeneous DNA within a Poland-Scheraga model. It is shown that at criticality the bubble life time for a homogeneous DNA is finite provided that the loop entropic exponent c > 2 and has a scaling dependence on DNA length for c < 2. Heterogeneity in the thermodynamical limit makes the bubble life time infinite for any entropic exponent.


X. Zhang, R. E. Jacobs California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, United States In the late 19 century Camillo Golgi revolutionize the budding discipline of neuroscience with his Black Reaction [1, 2], now known as the Golgi stain. This reaction stains a small eclectic, likely random, portion of neurons and processes in the tissue of interest. The Golgi stain consists of pretreatment with potassium dichromate and other additives [3] followed by 'development' with silver nitrate resulting in black deposits clearly delineating soma, axons, and dendrites against a yellow background. More recently, Johnson and colleagues have pioneered efforts in microMR histology [4] where different weighting schemes (T1-weighted, T2-weighted, proton density weighted, etc.) as well as contrast agents are used in an effort to highlight specific details in a manner analogous to Golgi's Black Reaction. Contrast in the MR image arises from physio-chemical heterogeniety in the underlying tissue structure that modulate concentration and relaxation characteristics of the water protons within the tissue. Although there is much speculation as to what precisely the Black Reaction does, potassium chromate, K2(Cr2O7);, is a powerful oxidizer. We hypothesized that just as pretreatment with K2(Cr2O7) alters tissue properties in a dramatic way for subsequent silver staining, these altered tissue properties (and perhaps locally high concentrations of the Cr(III) paramagnetic) would give rise to different MRI contrast and/or differential absorption of the gadolinium contrast agent ProHance. Enhanced or different contrast would lead to better definition of anatomical features and more facile identification of abnormalities. Materials and Methods Adult male mice (C57LB/6) were used in the study. Fixation in 4% PFA was accomplished by cardiac perfusion with 4% PFA, decapitation, and soaking of the head in 4% PFA for 24 hours. The skin, lower jaw, ears, cartilagenous nose tip were then removed, and the brains with the intact skull were processed by soaked for 5 days at 4°C in one of three different solutions (each containing 0.01% sodium azide): 1). 6% potassium dichromate solution (K2(Cr2O7)); 2). 10 mM ProHance (Gd-HP-DO3A from Bracco Diagnostics); 3). 10 mM ProHance in 6% potassium dichromate solution. MR Microscopy Imaging was performed with an 11.7T Bruker Avance imaging spectrometer with a microimaging gradient insert and 20 mm birdcage RF coil, samples immersed in fomblin. Imaging parameters were as follows: T1-weighted 3D spin echo (SE) imaging protocol (TR/TE, 50ms/4.2ms, 512x256x256, 25mm x (12.5mm); NA=12) and 3D FLASH (TR/TE, 25ms/4.2ms; flip angle: 30; 512x256x256, 25mm x (12.5mm); NA=18). Results and Discussion Coronal slices through the hippocampal region from 3D MR images of samples subjected to one of the three soaking procedures are shown in the top figure. In the right column it is apparent that in SE T1 weighted images the three procedures afford qualitatively different contrast but that the images exhibit relatively little anatomical detail. In the Prohance soaked sample, we do observe hyperintensity in the stratum pyramidale (SP) and Granule Cell Layer (SG) attributable to selective partitioning of ProHance into these structures. The FLASH sequence employed to obtain the left column provides both T1 and T2* weighting. Each soak procedure provides qualitatively different contrast with a wealth of anatomic detail is apparent in these images. The bottom figure shows an expanded view of the hippocampus of the ProHance plus K2(Cr2O7) treated sample. The detailed layers of the hippocampus are easily identified: SO, Stratum Oriens; SP, Stratum Pyramidale; MO, Molecular Layer; SLM, Stratum Lacunosum Moleculare; DG, Dentate Gyrus; SG, Granule Cell Layer. PO, Polymorphic Layer. Conclusion We present a method for in vitro MR histology that combines 19 & 21 century technology. With this new method, neuroanatomical contrast is dramatically improved compared to conventional fixation. Further studies are needed to optimize the fixatives, fixation time and MR parameters with this technique. Open questions remain about the underlying contrast mechanisms. Possibilities under investigation include tissue structure modifications, Cr(III) localization, and preferential localization of Prohance.


I am writing on behalf of the Advocacy Working Party of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, which has been charged with the responsibility of updating the Council Report on Advocacy published in 1999.

Advocates working on behalf of patients are going to become a more regular feature of our working


: Elfriede Jelinek's novel The Piano Teacher (1988) has gained notori-ety because of its explicit discussion of sadomasochism, sexual perversion, and violence, as well as its deliberately un-literary or anti-aesthetic style. Behind its provocative depiction of the protagonist Erika Kohut's socially unacceptable behaviour, however, the novel resonates with a much more subtle allusion to the historical forces that have shaped late twentieth-century Viennese culture. This essay focuses on aspects of the novel that expose the ways in which Viennese people of the 1980s were immersed in a sensibility of hatred, violence, and exclusion reminiscent of the extreme nationalism and ethnocentrism of Nazi ideology. Ironically, it is classical music – the epitome of cultivation, freedom, and spirit-uality – that becomes the vehicle for segregation, expulsion, and cruelty. From this perspective, the defeat of Nazi ideology at the end of World War II appears to be merely nominal, as principles of exclusion and segregation thrive in the networks of private relationships in smaller groups and institutions protected by the law. This essay claims that only because Jelinek's novel directly exposes the remnants of Nazi ideology through its language, does The Piano Teacher disturb and shock its readers and critics.


Abstract Several iron‐containing fertilizers such as FeSO4 Fe‐EDTA, Fe‐EDTA + urea, Fe‐EDTA + superphosphate and a "commercial product"; (SD 807) containing N, Fe, Zn and Mn were applied to iron‐chlorotic soybean leaves and the effects on regreening and reorganization of iron‐chlorotic chloroplasts were studied. Fe‐EDTA + urea seemed most effective, but was in higher concentrations most likely to cause foliar injury. SD 807 had caused a lighter green than the other fertilizers. Reduction of grana‐stacking is characteristic of iron‐deficient chloroplasts. Concomitant with regreening, grana‐stacking of chloroplasts increased. Six days after foliar application the recovered chloroplasts resembled chloroplasts of control plants, although they contained fewer thylakoids per granum than control chloroplasts. Iron resupply to the nutrient solution, however, resulted in well‐developed chloroplasts, comparable with control chloroplasts. In more pronounced iron deficiency, when leaf colour appeared to be yellow‐whi...


Objective  Fistulae to the female genital tract are an infrequent but severe complication of diverticular disease. The purpose of this study was to evaluate treatment and outcome in patients with diverticular colo‐genital fistulae.


The main slices technology and technological requirements for an automobile radiator were analyzed and the stamping process and die structure were improved and optimized.After study on the products quality made by previous dies,a better stamping process and die design scheme were proposed.


An adaptive cluster routing algorithm is proposed in wireless sensor networks in order to save the energy.This algorithm is based on nervous system and game theory.And this algorithm could modify the scale of clusters and communication of nodes dynamically,which could efficiently utilize the resource of sensor nodes to improve the lifetime of network.The simulation results show that the proposed algorithm decreases the energy consumption by 15.5% and enlarges the life of network by 13.4% in comparison with the conventional algorithm.


The design of agile supply chain networks has attracted more attention in recent years according to the competitive business environment. Further, due to high degree of uncertainty in agile supply chains (SCs), developing robust and efficient decision making tools are of interest. In this study, an integrated approach based on principal component analysis (PCA) and multi-objective possibilistic mixed integer programming (MOPMIP) approaches is proposed to optimally design agile supply chain network under uncertainty. The PCA method is used for ranking and filtering the suppliers, constituting the first layer of the supply chain, based on agility criteria. The proposed MOPMIP model is employed to construct the agile supply chain network under uncertainty. In the proposed MOPMIP model, three objective functions including 1) total costs minimization, 2) total delivery time minimization and 3) maximization of flexibility are considered. An interactive fuzzy solution approach is used to solve the proposed MOPMILP model. Two numerical examples, is conducted to evaluate the performance and efficiency of the proposed integrated approach for agile supply chain network design under uncertainty.


The penetration of Distributed Energy Resources in power generation has increased considerably during the last two decades. Low voltage grids are configured as microgrids in which the most common energy resources are photovoltaic systems and wind turbines, usually complemented by energy storage and/or backup generation. This paper presents the behavior of two microgrid systems in islanding mode. The first system consisted of a wind turbine, a diesel generator and a load, while the second system consists of the same components as the first system but a PV – battery system with an inverter is also inserted. The voltage and frequency characteristics of both scenarios are being examined. The main findings indicate that an absence of energy storage, such as a battery, leads to excessive backup generation capacity requirements, while the presence of an inverter after connecting the PV–battery unit has a strong effect on the power quality. Key-Words: Microgrid, Photovoltaic (PV), Wind turbine (WT), Diesel generator, Computer aided simulation


Background: Objective of current study was to study the pattern of benign breast diseases in females in our society. Methods: One hundred females who were treated in the department of surgery at Agartala government medical college & G B P Hospital, Agartala, Tripura (West) with various forms of benign breast diseases during the period from January 2013 to December 2013, were studied. Diagnosis were made by a combination of clinical assessment, radiological imaging and tissue biopsy so - called triple assessment. Results: The commonest presentation of benign breast diseases was breast lump followed by nodularity of breast. Fibroadnomas are the commonest benign breast disease and fibrocystic changes form the second most common lesion. The common age group of benign breast diseases range from 21 years to 40 years. This might be associated with certain environmental, regional, dietary or hormonal factors. Conclusion: The result of this study showed that benign breast diseases in females of our society are fibroadenomas followed by fibrocystic diseases. The actual factors responsible for this change needs further research and study.


The distribution of the humpback whale, Megaptera 1IOIIaea.ngliae, (based on shipboard sighting data) is significantly correlated (r - 0.81, df = 13) with the number of sand eel, Ammodytes americanus, per standardized tow (based on NMFSINEFC groundfish surveys) by strata within the Gulf of Maine. A demonstrated increase in the number of humpback whale sightings in the southwest Gulf of Maine since 1978 concurrent with an increase in the number of sand eel in the same area supports the hypothesis that within the Gulf of Maine the present distribution of humpback whales is due to the distnbution of their apparent principal prey, the sand eel. A similar correlation between humpback whale sightings and sand eel abundance on Georges Bank was not significant (r = 0.24, df - 18) despite dense patches of sand eel in that region. Therefore, within the combined Gulf of Maine-Georges Bank regions, factors other than simply prey availability must influence the feeding distribution of the humpback whale. We argue that the bottom topography of the Gulf of Maine and the foraging behavior of the whales are critical factors influencing their present feeding distribution. In the northwest Atlantic, the major summer con centrations ofhumpback whales, Megapteranovae angliae, occur off the coasts of Newfoundland Labrador and off the coast of New England in the Gulf of Maine which includes Georges Bank(Katona et al. 1980; Whitehead et al. 1982). During this period feeding is their principal activity. The major winter concentrations in the western North Atlan tic occur along the Antillean Chain in the West Indies, principally on Silver and Navidad Banks which lie north ofthe Dominican Republic (Winn et al. 1975; Balcomb and Nichols 1978; Whitehead and Moore 1982). During this season conception and calving are their primary activities; food does not seem to be an important determinant of the hump backs in these areas (Whitehead and Moore 1982). Humpbacks have been generally considered coastal animals (Mackintosh 1965). However, their migratory routes between regions ofwinter breed ing and summer feeding in the northwest Atlantic (based on sighting data) occur in deeper, slope waters off the continental shelf (Hain et al. 1981; Kenney et al. 1981; Payne et aI. 1984). Several possi ble offshore routes between winter and summer grounds suggest reasonably distinct stocks (Katona


The accuracy of synchronous machine parameters is extremely important to power system operation and control.Based on matrix pencil algorithm,a new method is proposed to identify synchronous machine parameters,with the basic principles and processes of identification provided.The method can structure two Hankel matrices from collected three-phase short-circuit current.The noise effect is restrained based on singular value decomposition(SVD) and low rank approximation.The computational costs are reduced.DC component and fundamental component are extracted as well using specific relationship between matrices,consequently accurate identification of synchronous machine parameters can be realized.The simulation results show that this method has higher precision,computational efficiency and stronger anti-noise capacity.


The word "quarantine" was originally used to designate the forty days of Lent. Then it was applied in the English law to the forty days after the death of her husband, during which a widow had the privilege of remaining in her husband's mansion house, and during which time her dower was to be assigned. Next we find the term employed with reference to the forty days during which a vessel might be detained without intercourse with the shore, after arrival from an infected port. After it was learned that forty days' isolation was not invariably necessary, the original signification was dropped, and the word came to refer only to the isolation of the vessel. The same idea, and the same methods, applied to protection at a land frontier; and later to the isolation of persons, or places contaminated with infectious disease. It is interesting here to note that syphilis


We have previously tried to explain perceptual inference and learning under a free-energy principle that pursues Helmholtz's agenda to understand the brain in terms of energy minimization. It is fairly easy to show that making inferences about the causes of sensory data can be cast as the minimization of a free-energy bound on the likelihood of sensory inputs, given an internal model of how they were caused. In this article, we consider what would happen if the data themselves were sampled to minimize this bound. It transpires that the ensuing active sampling or inference is mandated by ergodic arguments based on the very existence of adaptive agents. Furthermore, it accounts for many aspects of motor behavior; from retinal stabilization to goal-seeking. In particular, it suggests that motor control can be understood as fulfilling prior expectations about proprioceptive The free-energy principle is an attempt to explain the structure and function of the brain, starting from the fact that we exist: This fact places constraints on our interactions with the world, which have been studied for years in evolutionary biology and systems theory. However, recent advances in statistical physics and machine learning point to a simple scheme that enables biological systems to comply with these constraints. If one looks at the brain as implementing this scheme (minimizing a free-energy bound on disorder), then many aspects of its anatomy and physiology start to make sense. In this article, we show that free-energy can be reduced by selectively sampling sensory inputs. This leads to adaptive responses and provides a new view of how movement control might work in the brain. The main conclusion is that we only need to have expectations about the sensory consequences of moving in order to elicit movement. This means we that can replace the notion of desired movements with expected movements and understand action in terms of perceptual expectations. sensations. This formulation can explain why adaptive behavior emerges in biological agents and suggests a simple alternative to optimal control theory. We illustrate these points using simulations of oculomotor control and then apply to same principles to cued and goal-directed movements. In short, the free-energy formulation may provide an alternative perspective on the motor control that places it in an intimate relationship with perception. input; variables in bold denote true values and those in italics denote variables assumed by the agent or model˜x(t) = [x, x , x ,. . …


Objective To study the effect of removal time of oocyte granulosa cell of in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer(IVF-ET)on clinical outcomes.Methods 85 cycles undergoing IVF-ET were divided into two groups by its oocyte granulosa cell removal time,namely 2-4 h group and 16-18 h group.Female age,fertilization rate(FR),abnormal fertilization rate,good quality embryo rate,implantation rate(IR),and clinical pregnancy rate(CPR) were measured and compared between the two groups.Results No difference was observed between the 2-4 h and 16-18 h group in female age(32.03±4.38 vs 32.35±4.28),FR(65.66% vs 67.48%),abnormal fertilization rate(11.45% vs 12.98%),good quality embryo rate(42.20% vs 39.75%),IR(33.33% vs 33.00%),and CPR(45.16% vs 44.44%).Conclusions There was no difference in clinical outcome between oocyte granulosa cell removal time of 2-4 h and 16-18 h after insemination and transfer into the fresh medium.


Provided are methods for inhibiting the progression of an inflammatory mediated mucosal infection. The methods include administering an effective amount of an anti-inflammatory agent. Also provided are compositions and articles of manufacture for preventing, and inhibiting the activation and progression of a mucosal infection.


Many protein sequences are still poorly annotated. Functional characterization of a protein often is improved by the identification of novel interaction partners. Here, we aim to create descriptors for all relevant sequence parts of structurally known protein-protein and protein-ligand binding sites. These binding sites are often well-conserved (1). In contrast, the rest of the surface seems to be variable (see Figure 1A) which impedes sequence similarity searches for functionally equivalent or similar proteins. Descriptors previously used for conserved domains and interface motifs are regular expressions, weight matrices and Hidden Markov Models (HMMs), covering either sequentially consecutive stretches (2-4) or full length domains (5). In particular, HMMs were successfully employed in many sequence similarity search tools (5, 6, 7). Based on the family level of the Structural Classification of Proteins, SCOP (8), it is possible to extract and classify all domain-domain interactions found in the Protein Data Bank, PDB (9). This classification is available in the SCOPPI database (10). SCOPPI clusters similar interfaces into interface types. As pointed out by Kim and Ison, even homologous domain pairs can associate in geometrically different ways by employing different sets of residues to form interfaces (11). Consequently, the corresponding interface profiles would differ substantially which makes profile merging meaningless. However, often a number of domain-domain interactions expose striking similarities and it is desirable to collect all instances of one interface type for the calculation of the respective interface profile. We therefore compose descriptors for all interface types in SCOPPI by merging all interface profiles describing that interface type. When data for interface types is sparse, we utilize sequence data provided by HSSP (12). Often several sequentially remote segments contribute to a binding site (exemplified in Figure 1B). To accommodate for this phenomenon, we adopt the multiple-motif approach from PRINTS (13) to represent binding sites as a collection of small HMMs for one local binding motif thus describing only the important sequence parts that form a structural feature. Each collection member gives rise to an individual sequence similarity search using the HMMer package. The P-score of the sum of the individual search result scores can be calculated using Karlin-Altschul's sum statistics for multiple high scoring sequence segments (14, formula [5]).


The sections in this article are

Introduction
Pressure-Driven Phase Transitions
Framework Flexion
Increase in Coordination Number
Pressure-Induced Ordering

Generating High Pressure
Dynamic Pressure Generation
Static Pressure Devices
Large-Volume Presses
Diamond Anvil Cells

Probing Phase Transformations in Materials at High Pressure
Volumetric Techniques
Spectroscopic Techniques
Microscopy
Raman and Infrared Spectroscopy
Mossbauer Spectroscopy
X-Ray Absorption Spectroscopy
NMR

Ultrasonic Sound Velocity
Diffraction Techniques
X-Ray Diffraction
Neutron Diffraction

Examples
Zincblende-Type Semiconductors
Si and Ge
GaAs
InSb

Materials in the B–C–N System
C
BN
CN
BC
BCN

H2O
Ice Ih, XI and Ic
Ice II
Ice III and Ice IX
Ice V, Ice IV and Ice XII
Ice VI, Ice VII, Ice VIII, Ice X
Amorphous Ice at High Pressure

Acknowledgements


Adsorption of CO2 on the Cu2O(111) surface is investigated using density functional theory + U with and without dispersion corrections. A number of adsorbate geometries are considered on four different surface terminations that include the bulk-terminated surface and surfaces with oxygen and/or copper vacancies. CO2 is found to adsorb most strongly as a tilted linear molecule coordinated to an unsaturated surface cation. Surface vacancies allow for bent adsorbate configurations to be accessed but they are all less stable than the linear adsorbate. Bader analysis confirms that adsorption of bent CO2 is accompanied by charge transfer from the surface to the molecule, whereas minimal charge transfer occurs in linear physisorption. We show that surface oxygen vacancies have a small impact on adsorption free energies, while surface copper vacancies result in a significant reduction of CO2 adsorption. Including dispersion corrections increases the stability of adsorbed CO2, but adsorption is mostly endoergic at...


We study the effects of politics on public procurement in Swedish municipalities in 199098 using data on cleaning services. No procuring municipality committed to a standard auction format or to an ...


All activities of outdoor are influenced by climate. Among all the factors of climate, temperature, humidity, wind speedare the most important factors that affect comfortable degree of body. Based on the meteorological data of Yunnan province andChina, temperature, humidity, wind speed were taken as parameters, the comfort index and wind effects index, and integratedcomfort index for human body were adopted to evaluate the climate resources in Kunming city, the capital of Yunnan province.The article pointed out that there were long comfortable wind time, long comfortable time and cool time, long integrated climatecomfort time in this area. However, there were neither cold wind, warm and hot wind time, nor swelter, cold or frigid and extramerely uncomfortable time.The climate comfortable degree was higher than that of other cities of Yunnan province and China.Kunming, from the climate comfortable degree, is a perfect tourism resort. However, the low content of oxygen of air and strongultraviolet radiation reduces the comfort in some extent.


The connotation of comprehensive national power (CNP) was studied, the relationships between CNP and other related notions were comparatively analyzed, and the process for the study of CNP was reviewed. Based on the principles of sustainable development and the idea of ecosystem services, the concept of comprehensive national power for sustainable development (CNPSD) was proposed, and the main significance of CNQSD was discussed.


Papaya plant is popular in all over world for its various nutritional values and medicinal properties. Papaya fruit contains ample amount of carbohydrates, protein, fat, mineral, iron, calcium, phosphorous, vitamin C, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin and carotene, amino acids , citric and malic acids (green fruit). Its leave is major source of alkaloids carpain, dehyrocarpaine , choline, carposide vitamin C and E. Studies show that papaya plant may be helpful in treatment of cancer , dengue, asthma , microbial infection and skin related diseases as well as in cosmetics. Because of such huge nutritional and pharmaceutical properties it may be considered as a neutraceutical plant. In last twenty years scientists and researchers trying to know about numerous compounds obtained from various extraction processes of papaya leave which could be helpful to explain its huge number of medicinal properties. In the present review we have focussed on the nutritional benefits and clinical significances as well as harmful effects.


The synthesis and characterization of the conducting polyaniline (Pani) films embedded with Co2+ doped, PVA capped PbS/ZnS core-shell particles as photoluminescent boosters is reported. The photoluminescence intensity of the core-shell particles –Pani film had increased significantly.Periodic arrangement of the nanoclusters of the core-shell particles in the continuous conductive polymer matrix and high carrier density promise this material for the photoelectrochemical applications. Solid -state photovoltaic cells have been fabricated with PbS:Co/ZnS-Pani as the electron conductor and Pani as the hole conductor. The current voltage
characteristic of the cell was evaluated with a white light source of intensity 15 mW/cm2. Pmax
was found to be 0.088mW/cm2 while the Voc and Isc are 304 mV and 0.1 mA/cm2 respectively.
The calculated cell efficiency and fill factor are 0.58% and 0.29 respectively.

Keywords: Composite materials; Polymers; Luminescence; Optical properties.


As an important place to train talents under the new situation, colleges and universities should strengthen and improve political work focusing on the essential task to train socialist builders and successors. The paper expounds how we do political work well, combined with political ideological work of the Party Consturection.


Physical interference between robots happens when robots try to occupy the same region. In multi-robot experiments, interference between robots has been found to negatively impact performance. In addition, simulations do not always accurately predict real robot performance. So, we study the effects of unmodeled factors, such as interference, on the difference between real and simulated experiments. We believe that it is beneficial to understand the categorization of robot interference. Therefore, we examine different forms of interference in real robot experiments in order to set a basis for an interference model in simulation. We show that interference can be broken into categories which have discrete characteristics that affect robot performance differently in various environments.


The cover test network and a small area of hilly semi-mountainous regions in Mudanjiang use the biological diversity for prevention and control of soybean aphid,control effect of intercropping of potato and soybean was best.Initially identified in the use of biological diversity in the prevention and control of soybean aphid natural enemies played a crucial role.


As an example of the linear forecast method, the application of a linear trend to annual mean sea level data from Ko8obrzeg is analysed, and the mean sea level rise for a 110 yr time period is forecast. On the basis of the classical trend theory, the possibility of making a linear forecast on the basis of variable confidence intervals is demonstrated and various computational techniques are compared. The method assumes the application of confidence intervals not only to the stochastic component of the forecast model but also to the estimated trend parameters. As a result, depending on the assumptions and measurement data, the linear forecast method can be adapted to a variety of situations where low-lying areas are under threat from rising sea levels. The possibility of including the mean sea level rise forecast in the probabilistic forecast of storm surges is discussed. Example calculations for the period 1901 to 1990 were performed for a time series of maximum annual sea levels at Ko8obrzeg, estimated by Gumbel's distribution.


The structural, electronic, and thermoelectric properties of Ba1−x Sr x Zn2Sb2 (x = 0, 0.25, 0.5, and 0.75) are studied by the full-potential linearized augmented plane wave (FP-LAPW) method in the density functional theory (DFT) framework. The band structure and density of states of the studied system are calculated using PBE functional and Tran-Blaha modifed Becke-Johnson (mBJ) exchange potential. Our generalized gradient approximation (GGA) results show that the system exhibits a phase transition from the orthorhombic phase to the trigonal one at x = 60%. With the TB-mBJ potential these compounds are narrow-gap semiconductors with a direct band gap for x = 0 and 0.25, whereas an indirect band gap semiconductor for x = 0.5 and 0.75. The thermoelectric properties are calculated using the semi-classical Boltzmann transport theory. The temperature dependence of thermoelectric transport properties of these compounds is discussed and compared with available experimental data. Substitution of Ba by Sr leads to an increase in the figure of merit (ZT). The Seebeck coefficients and ZT of Ba0.75Sr0.25Zn2Sb2 and Ba0.5Sr0.5Zn2Sb2 are even larger than those of BaZn2Sb2. The predicted highest ZT values are found for x = 0.5 at higher temperature.


The text of Epistle of Robert Southwell unto His Father is populated by bodies: the body politic that is the omnipresent Elizabethan state, the body of the Southwell family on behalf of whom Southwell claims to make his appeal, the body of the Catholic Church from which Richard Southwell is presently separated, and most significantly the body of Christ to which the young priest would have his father reunited. The detachment of father and son from these various bodies, and consequently from one another, is the reason for the letter's existence as well as the foundation of its arguments and the source of its considerable drama. This essay argues that the artful persuasiveness of the Epistle lies in the simultaneity of its rhetorical appeals to both a private and public audience, appeals which are strengthened by the author's awareness of the divided bodies he addresses, and his subsequent decision to deploy a provocative interplay between the actions of remembering and dismembering throughout his text.


Zarzima is a gold prospect located in the west of Muchesh city, Kurdistan province, Iran. According to the geological studies, gold mineralization mainly occurs within silicified alteration zones/quartz veins and veinlets. Some silicified veins have been mapped in the 1:1,000 geological map of the area. To improve the results of drillings, resistivity and induced polarization tomography surveys were performed before the exploration drillings in the study area. As the geophysical models didn't really coincide with the geological information, we have decided to reprocess and reinterpret the previously recorded geophysical data with further theoretical considerations. Interesting results yielded with suitable inversion criteria and precise data processing. This investigation indicated that high resistivity anomalies represent silicified alteration zones. In fact, some branch-like high resistivity features are detected which is consistent with the hydrothermal mineralization systems. The fault zone is also characterized precisely in the resistivity and IP models. Note that previous analysis of geophysical data neglected the most important anomalous zone in the study area. The previous analysis also didn't reveal the branch-like structures and the fault zone. These facts clearly show the importance of suitable selection of inversion parameters and also avoiding the use of large "n" values in the dipole-dipole array. In the end, it should be noted that a suitable combination of larger "a" values and smaller "n" values (non-integer) for the dipole-dipole array can guarantee deeper depth of investigation and higher signal quality concurrently in an electrical survey.